System and Method for Tracking a Vehicle&#39;s Course by Comparing Geolocation Data from a Known Course

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method and system for tracking a vehicle&#39;s course using geolocation data is provided. The method comprises obtaining a set of predetermined GPS locations representing a closed course; tracking movements of a user using a GPS controller; authenticating the movements of the user against the set of predetermined GPS locations while the client terminal is within a predetermined distance of at least one of the set of predetermined GPS locations; and presenting consolidated timing information about the user&#39;s movements along the set of predetermined GPS locations. The system comprises a central processing server in communication with a computer network and configured to obtain information from a central database; and one or more client terminals in communication with the central processing server via the computer network, and configured to provide a graphical user interface for user interaction with the central processing server.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/195,131 filed Nov. 19, 2018 which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/844,872 filed Dec. 18, 2017, and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 10,136,253 on Nov. 20, 2018, all of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a system and a method related toobtaining, processing and/or displaying GPS data from a vehicle andauthenticating the vehicle's course by processing data from the vehicleand comparing to geolocation data for a known course. The inventionfurther relates to the transfer of data from a GPS receiver to acomputing device for processing and displaying to users of the computingdevice.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37C.F.R. 1.97 and 1.98

This section is intended to provide a background or context. Thedescription herein may include concepts that could be pursued but arenot necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued.Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in thissection is not prior art in this application and is not admitted to beprior art by inclusion in this section.

People who navigate on a closed course are often interested in trackinginformation about lap times on the closed course and comparing withothers on the course. This can be done using stopwatches or the like.The problem with using a stopwatch is that it's cumbersome, difficult tocompare times quickly or during competition, and subject to coursecutting that may result in inaccurate comparisons. Moreover, current GPSprocessing systems do not allow users to easily compare data and do notprovide for a means to authenticate or confirm that the course wasfollowed by the user. Current GPS processing systems require a separateGPS unit in order to get an accurate and precise calculation of users'geographic location.

What is needed is for a method and system that tracks user geolocationdata around a closed course and compares that data to a known locationdata in a way that allows users to compare their times among other usersof the closed course on their mobile computing devices or othercomputing devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In certain example embodiments described, methods and system supporttracking a vehicle's course using geolocation data. The disclosedtechnique and related system comprise obtaining, from a centraldatabase, a set of predetermined GPS locations representing a closedcourse; tracking movements of a user using a GPS controller, wheretracking the movements of the user further comprises timing themovements of the user; authenticating the movements of the user againstthe set of predetermined GPS locations while the client terminal iswithin a predetermined distance of at least one of the set ofpredetermined GPS locations; determining whether successfulauthentication of the user's movements is greater than a predeterminedsuccess threshold; and upon determining whether successfulauthentication of the user's movements is greater than a predeterminedsuccess threshold, storing timing information in the central database,and retrieving and presenting the timing information on the clientterminal.

Other embodiments are also disclosed herein. Another embodiment providesthat the predetermined distance is 8 meters. Yet another embodimentfurther comprises aggregating the consolidated timing information of aplurality of users into an ordered list and presenting the ordered listto the plurality of users on the graphical user interface on the clientterminal. The successful authentication can comprise authentication of apredetermined number of the set of predetermined GPS locations.

The disclosed principles can also be provided through a system fortracking a vehicle's course using geolocation data. The system comprisesa central processing server in communication with a computer network andconfigured to obtain information from a central database; one or moreclient terminals in communication with the central processing server viathe computer network, and configured to provide a graphical userinterface for user interaction with the central processing server. Theone or more client terminals of the system are configured to obtain,from the central database, a set of predetermined GPS locationsrepresenting a closed course; track movements of a user using a GPScontroller, where tracking the movements of the user further comprisestiming the movements of the user; authenticate the movements of the useragainst the set of predetermined GPS locations while the client terminalis within a predetermined distance of at least one of the set ofpredetermined GPS locations; and upon determining whether successfulauthentication of the user's movements is greater than a predeterminedsuccess threshold, storing timing information in the central database,and retrieving and presenting the timing information on the clientterminal.

In another embodiment, the tracking system provides that thepredetermined distance is 8 meters. The one or more client terminals canbe further configured to aggregate the consolidated timing informationof a plurality of users into an ordered list and present the orderedlist to the plurality of users. Also, successful authentication cancomprise authentication of a predetermined number of the set ofpredetermined location positions based on the sequential order.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a closed course generation systemused with a tracking system for tracking a vehicle's course usinggeolocation data is disclosed The closed course generation system cancomprise a central processing server in communication with a computernetwork and configured to obtain information from a central database;and a mobile device in communication with the central processing servervia the computer network, comprises a geolocation controller, and isconfigured to provide a graphical user interface for user interactionwith the central processing server. The mobile device can be configuredto track a path using the geolocation controller along the closedcourse; record geolocation positions of the closed course to a set ofpredetermined geolocation positions; and store the set of predeterminedgeolocation positions to the central database. The set of predeterminedgeolocation is then accessed by one or more client terminals of thetracking system, and then the one or more client terminals tracksmovements of users of the one or more client terminals, authenticatesthe movements of the users against the set of predetermined geolocationpositions while the one or more client terminals is within apredetermined distance of at least one of the set of predeterminedgeolocation positions; and upon determining whether successfulauthentication of the users' movements is greater than a predeterminedsuccess threshold, stores timing information in the central database.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary vehicle trackingsystem.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a set of geolocation positions ona closed course.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot of agraphical user interface, in accordance with the disclosed principles,for a closed course with information about the best lap times for theclosed course, and for a user to start tracking his movements along theclosed course.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot of agraphical user interface demonstrating geographically finding a nearbyestablished closed course.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot of agraphical user interface for activating tracking of the user's movementson a closed course, where the interface also shows lap times on theclosed course of the current session.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot of agraphical user interface for posting a user's best lap time after theuser completed a lap and the lap time for the lap is the user's besttime so far.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot of agraphical user interface demonstrating groups of riders currentlylogging laps around the closed course.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot of agraphical user interface for a user profile.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot of agraphical user interface of a trophy available to the user with the bestlap time at a closed course.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot of agraphical user interface demonstrating the vehicle tracking system usedwith racing competitions and events, and presenting information aboutthe racing competition and events with a user's information.

FIG. 11 is another block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of thevehicle tracking system.

The above figures are provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only, and are not intended to define the limits of thedisclosed invention. Use of the same reference number in multiplefigures is intended to designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore,when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,”“height,” “width,” “length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that theseterms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawing and areutilized only to facilitate describing the particular embodiment. Theextension of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship,and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will beexplained or will be within the skill of the art after the followingteachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed principles provide a number of innovations, includingnovel systems and method for facilitating a unique vehicle trackingplatform. The system and method can be used for racing, such asmotocross, karting, snow-cross, UTV racing, and ATV racing, or fortraining purposes. The platform disclosed herein may also be used forany other type of racing activity or contest, or any other type of timedcontest. A detailed discussion of the exemplary platform is providedbelow; however, it should be understood that the embodiments describedherein are only exemplary and do not limit the broader scope of thedisclosed principles.

Generally speaking, the exemplary vehicle tracking technique facilitatedby the disclosed principles involves acquiring a set of geolocationpositions that represent a closed course, and using the predeterminedset of geolocation positions as a backdrop against tracking thegeolocation of a user along the closed course. These geolocationpositions can be GPS locations or GPS coordinates expressed usinglatitude and longitude, and are generated by closed course proprietors,which is discussed below. The user's geolocation and time at thegeolocation is recorded and tracked, and this tracked information isauthenticated against the set of geolocation positions to ensure thatthe user is moving to locations as prescribed by the set of geolocationpositions. The tracked information needs a successful authenticationgreater than a predetermined success threshold, which can be called asuccess rate, and this is further disclosed below. Then, the vehicletracking technique presents timing information about the user'smovements along the set of predetermined location positions, so thateach user using the vehicle tracking technique is able to see his laptime when he or she finishes a lap of the set of geolocation positions.

A lap as described herein is one circuit of a track or otherpredetermined closed course, and when used with the exemplary technique,a user completes a lap when his tracked movements successfully matches,within a predetermined tolerance based on the predetermined successthreshold, the set of predetermined geolocation positions, which isfurther disclosed below. As such, the disclosed technique allows users'course and/or lap time to be tracked on the predetermined course, suchas an existing racetrack.

Established closed courses as described herein are closed courses whereclosed course proprietors have created a set of geolocation positionsthat represents their closed courses. The exemplary vehicle trackingtechnique allows closed course proprietors to create the set ofgeolocation positions for their closed courses, and the geolocationpositions can be edited or modified as needed to provide maximumaccuracy and entertainment for patrons of closed courses. However, thetechnique can be used for any closed course and is not limited to racetracks. As mentioned earlier, the set of geolocation positionsrepresents a closed course and the set of geolocation positionscorresponds to and map to physical geolocation positions on the closedcourse.

A closed course proprietor is herein used to describe administrators ofthe disclosed technique and any system or method using any embodimentsor techniques disclosed herein. A closed course proprietor may also bethe owner of a closed course.

To establish a closed course, proprietors can use the disclosedtechnique to track their movements on the closed course and startingwith a start/finish point, the technique records a geolocation positionevery 16 meters. Once the proprietor is back to the start/finish point,the set of geolocation positions is created and uploaded to a database.

In another embodiment, once the set of geolocation positions for aclosed course are created and set down by the closed course proprietor,patrons of a closed course can use the disclosed exemplary technique tokeep track of and log their lap times. As an incentive to use thedisclosed exemplary technique, lap times for others users can beaggregated and consolidated for presentation to all users, and a markerfor the best lap time for a particular closed course is awarded to theuser with the fastest lap time. Calculation of lap time is disclosedfurther below.

In an exemplary embodiment, a user can manually activate the disclosedexemplary technique to track his movements around a closed course. Toaccurately determine the user's lap time, the disclosed exemplarytechnique can start tracking the user's movements when the user'sgeolocation coordinates change. Alternatively, the disclosed exemplarytechnique can use a gyroscope, accelerometer, or any currently availableor later developed motion sensor to detect any initial movements by theuser to indicate the technique should start tracking the user'smovements. Once the user's lap time has been determined, the user canshare the lap time with others.

The disclosed exemplary technique tracks a user's movements usinggeolocation technology, such as global positioning system (GPS)technology, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, andother currently existing or later developed technology for determiningthe physical location of a user.

Further, the user can look at a history of his lap times at a particularclosed course or overall. Also, as previously mentioned, because theuser can share lap times with other users, the user can access and viewany lap time shared by other users. Consequently, users cannot access orview any lap time not shared by other users. Lap times can be sortedbased on any subset of information of which lap time is composed, suchas time, username, etc. The disclosed exemplary technique can also sortbased on any other analyzed statistic, such as fastest start, highestspeed, etc.

As mentioned previously, the set of geolocation positions corresponds toand map to physical geolocation positions on the closed course. In anexemplary embodiment, the set of geolocation positions can be a set ofGPS coordinates, and in another embodiment, the set of geolocationpositions can be transponders positioned at certain geolocations alongthe closed course. Any currently existing or later developed technologycan be used for transponders indicating the set of geolocationpositions.

The disclosed exemplary technique needs to provide accuracy andprecision so that users cannot cut the course in order to get a betterlap time. To provide accuracy and precision and to deter any cheating,the disclosed exemplary technique tracks the movements of users andauthenticates the user's movements against the set of predeterminedgeolocation positions by using a predetermined distance from thepredetermined geolocation positions. The predetermined distance createsan area that the user needs to pass through to successfully authenticatethe predetermined geolocation positions. The predetermined distance maybe set and modified by the closed course proprietor to fit a particulartrack's width and overall size. Alternatively, the system canautomatically change the predetermined distance based on history ofusers not appearing in certain portions of the area formed by thepredetermined distance of a geolocation position. Other factors can beused for refining the predetermined distance. FIG. 2 further discussesthe accuracy and precision of the disclosed exemplary technique.

Further, in one embodiment, the disclosed exemplary technique allowsusers to discover or find nearby closed courses by determining thegeolocation of the user and retrieving the geolocation of nearby closedcourses. The disclosed exemplary technique can engage geolocationtechnology or services to identify nearby or established closed courses.In this embodiment, other types of geolocation technology or servicescan be used to determine the geolocation of the user, as compared to thegeolocation technology or services used for tracking the user'smovements on a closed course. The exemplary embodiment can use cellularservice to determine the geolocation of the user. In another exemplaryembodiment, the disclosed exemplary technique has access to a list ormap of established closed courses. The list or map of established closedcourses may include physical addresses, GPS coordinates, or any othertype of group of numbers used to indicate the geographical location of auser.

In another exemplary embodiment, users can use and join groups forsharing lap times. These groups of users may base membership oninvitation, geographic availability, or any other factor. Groups of theexemplary embodiment can facilitate messaging between the members of thegroup, and messages between group members can be supported by SMS, amessaging system supported by the disclosed exemplary technique, or anyother messaging system, currently existing or later developed. Further,users may initiate races for members of the group, which is discussed infurther detail below.

A user can also have a profile for aggregating the user's lap times atvarious closed courses. The profile can also include a list of theuser's friends and their best lap time at the various closed courses.The friend list may instead present information that the user hasindicated that he wants to see with each entry on the friend list.Alternatively, the list of the user's friends may present anyinformation that each friend has indicated to be shown on the user'sfriend list. In another embodiment, the technique can provide a featurefor following and un-following specific users. With following specificusers, the user can get updates on the activity of the users he isfollowing.

One exemplary embodiment allows users to win prizes or trophiesassociated with a closed course. A closed course proprietor may allowfor any number of prizes or trophies for his closed course, and thedisclosed exemplary technique can present a view of the winners of theprizes or trophies authorized by the closed course proprietor at aclosed course. In another exemplary embodiment, trophies or prizes canbe given to the user with the best lap time within a group of users.

The advantage of the exemplary embodiments herein allow for lesshardware to be used to accomplish the disclosed principles, and allowsfor greater rate of efficiency, accuracy, and prevision because there isknown information and data against which the user's course can becompared and authenticated.

Exemplary applications can be implemented via one or more secure websites, or other similar dedicated sites accessible via a computernetwork. While in one embodiment the disclosed techniques are used withmobile computing devices, in another embodiment, the disclosedtechniques may be used with any combination of mobile computing devicesand computing components or devices. Other embodiments can providespecific capabilities with the disclosed techniques facilitated by aphysical location, such as a sports stadium or other similar closedcourse establishments accessible by patrons.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary vehicle trackingsystem 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments. The exemplarysystem 100 can use the principles as disclosed with the vehicle trackingtechnique. The vehicle tracking system 100 provides tracking of a userthrough the use of a mobile computing device 110 and a clientapplication on the computing device 110. The client application on themobile device 110 (also called a client terminal) can connect to andaccess other applications and any other available technology on themobile device 110. For example, the client application can access thecamera or the geolocation services of the mobile device 110. The clientapplication provides a graphical user interface for user interaction andto present any views as disclosed with the vehicle tracking technique.The client application interfaces with input and output devices of themobile device, such as a touchscreen of a smart phone. The clientapplication can have access to a user's geographical location, locationdata, product and social network data, and communications protocols.Although the exemplary embodiment illustrates a single mobile device110, any number of mobile devices can be used with the vehicle trackingsystem 100.

One or more mobile devices 110, each with a client application, may becoordinated by a vehicle tracking server 100, and can comprise mobiletelephones, personal data assistances, tablet computers, notebookcomputers, or any other type of computing device. Within the vehicletracking system 100, the mobile device 110 is configured to connect tothe vehicle tracking server 130 via a computer network 120, such as theInternet. The vehicle tracking server 130, which is also referred toherein as the platform server, is also configured to connect to acomputer network 120, such as the Internet. In other embodiments, thecomputer network 120 can be a private access network. Of course, othermeans of connecting the mobile device 110 and the vehicle trackingserver 130 to a computer network 120 may also be used, either currentlyexisting or later developed.

In an exemplary embodiment, the system 100 includes geographiclocalization of the mobile device 110 associated with users accessingthe system 100. In one embodiment, the use of a geolocation service 150for the system 100 may be provided or confirmed using GPS satellitelocation techniques. More specifically, one or more GPS satellites maybe used in connection with GPS-based hardware/software in one or more ofthe context to determine the geographical location of the mobile device110. Alternatively, the geographic location of one or more of the mobiledevices 110 may be provided or confirmed using one or more cellulartowers of a cellular service 160. In such embodiments, geographiclocation of the mobile device 110 is determined by a mobiletelecommunications network via, for example, the location of the celltower (i.e., the actual node of a cell tower servicing the mobile device110), which is updated by the mobile device 110 when it changes from onecell tower to another.

Still further, the mobile device 110 may comprise an application loadedthereon that facilitates the determination of the geographic location ofthe mobile device 110 having the application. Moreover, such anapplication may be specifically associated with or developed by theprovider of the system 100, or by a third party. In yet otherembodiments, a computer network 120 may simply detect when the mobiledevice 110 is within a predetermined distance. In these embodiments, amobile application may provide the location of the mobile device 110 bypinging a local network. Alternatively, rather than an application, themobile device 110 may include geolocation hardware or software, such asRFID technology or Bluetooth. Other possible location technologies ortechniques, whether specifically in a mobile device application or not,may include GPS technology, Assisted GPS technology (AGPS), DifferentialGPS (DGPS) technology, Time of Arrival (TOA) technology, Enhanced Timeof Arrival (ETOA) technology, Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Least-Square(LS) location techniques, Angle of Arrival (AOA) location technique,Received Signal Strength (RSS) localization, Signal Fingerprinting, MACaddress, Wi-Fi or other wireless computer/telecommunications technologylocation systems, Internet Protocol (IP) address, BEACON, and RFIDtechnology. Of course, these techniques for location determination aresimply exemplary, and thus can encompass any computing device locationtechnique, either now existing or later developed.

In addition to determining and confirming the geographic location of themobile device 110, the system 100 can limit access by users based ongeographical location of the mobile device 110. For example, a closedcourse proprietor may require patrons to pay a fee to use the closedcourse, and only paying patrons are given an access code or password toaccess a user-restricted set of geolocation positions representing theclosed course. Such access codes or passwords may be the same for allusers wishing to access the system, or the closed course proprietor canaccess the system 100 to authorize the user to access the set ofgeolocation positions.

Access codes can also be provided in other embodiments so that multiplemobile devices of the user can interact with the system 100. Forexample, a user may utilize two mobile devices in accessing the vehicletracking system 100, such as a mobile phone and wearable technology suchas a smartwatch, and uses the smartwatch for tracking his movements onthe closed course and uses the mobile phone for viewing his profile orfriend list. Access codes allow the multiple mobile devices tosynchronize information with each other.

In another embodiment, the mobile device 110 can be safely attached tothe vehicle. A mount can be used to attach the mobile device 110 toaccurately track the vehicle's course and to prevent the mobile device110 from moving while the user is logging laps on the closed course. Themount can position the mobile device 110 into a position where the usercan easily access between logging laps on the closed course. Forexample, the mobile device 110 can be mounted in a safe and stablelocation on a vehicle.

The vehicle tracking server 130 can be a centralized computing system ordevice for coordinating a plurality of mobile devices 110. The server130 coordinates and communicates through a computer network 120 such asthe Internet with geolocation services 150, cellular service 160, andother services available to the mobile device 110. The server 130 alsocommunicates and coordinates with a database 140 for user information,lap data, and information collected from the mobile device 110. Thedatabase 140 may also comprise data from closed course proprietors,including the set of geolocation positions of closed courses, trophiesand prizes for closed courses, and any other information of the closedcourses.

The vehicle tracking server 130 can comprise a front end server forhandling data requests or web page requests from users, processing therequests and returning the data, an application programming interfaceserver, a database server, and a location determination server. Thevehicle tracking server 130 can also contain any number of serversrequired to operate the interactions between the vehicle tracking server130, the mobile device 110, and the geolocation service 150, thecellular service 160, and any other component of the system 100.

The messaging server 170 of the vehicle tracking system 100 provides theinfrastructure for messaging between users. The messaging server 170also facilitates messages from users to closed course proprietors, sothat users can report other users, problems with the closed course, orany other messages meant for the closed course proprietor. The messagingserver 170 can use SMS, a messaging interface for use only with thesystem 100, or any other type of messaging technology to facilitate themessaging as disclosed. The messaging server 170 can interact with thevehicle tracking server 130 to create a graphical user interface withinthe client application for messaging between users. Any currentlyavailable or later developed messaging or communication protocol can beused with the messaging server 170.

As previously mentioned, the mobile device 110 can comprise anapplication or service loaded thereon that facilitates the determinationof the geographic location of the mobile device 110 having theapplication, and a geolocation service 150 interfaces and communicateswith the application through the computer network 120. The geolocationservice can comprise GPS technology, Assisted GPS technology (AGPS),Differential GPS (DGPS) technology, Time of Arrival (TOA) technology,Enhanced Time of Arrival (ETOA) technology, Maximum Likelihood (ML) andLeast-Square (LS) location techniques, Angle of Arrival (AOA) locationtechnique, Received Signal Strength (RSS) localization, SignalFingerprinting, MAC address, Wi-Fi or other wirelesscomputer/telecommunications technology location systems, InternetProtocol (IP) address, BEACON, and RFID technology. Again, thesetechnologies and techniques are simply exemplary and thus can encompassany geolocation technology or technique, either now existing or laterdeveloped.

In another embodiment, the system 100 can provide a graphical userinterface for closed course proprietors to interact with patrons oftheir closed courses or other third parties to configure any advertisingor sponsored content for particular closed courses. In yet anotherembodiment, the graphical user interface allows the proprietors toaccess a graphical user interface for generating the set of geolocationpositions representing the closed course. Further discussion regardinggenerating the set of geolocation positions is below.

In another embodiment, the system 100 can access third party datasources to get authentication information. For example, the system 100can access Facebook services in order to get user information andauthentication information, and accordingly, the user can use Facebookto create an account in the system 100. Other social media verificationdata sources can be used, currently existing or later developed.

The use of social media resources is not required because users are ableto create a user account with the system 100 without the use of socialmedia information. The use of social media allows for easier and fasteruser authentication because in some exemplary embodiments, users can berequired to input their username and password upon each activation ofthe system 100.

A secondary device 180 can also be used with the system 100 so that auser is not using a mobile device 110 or mounting their mobile device110 onto their vehicle. The secondary device 180 can be anothercomputing device for tracking movements of the user, such as a GPStracking unit that determines and tracks the unit's precise location atintervals. The secondary device 180 can store recorded geolocation datafor later transmission and analysis, or the secondary device 180 cantransmit recorded geolocation data to the server 130 using the computernetwork 120 or any other type of transmission technology. Anotherexample of a secondary device 180 can be smartwatches or wearabletechnology that tracks geolocation of the user.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration 200 of a set of geolocationpositions on a closed course. As previously discussed, the set ofgeolocation positions 210-230 are located on the closed course 205.

The set of geolocation positions 210-230 are made by the closed courseproprietors, and in creating the set of geolocation positions 210-230,proprietors use a similar tracking technique to the tracking of users.The proprietor activates geolocation set creation with the system 100 onhis mobile device 110, and the system 100 immediately determines theproprietor's geolocation. This first geolocation is the start/finishpoint for the proprietor. As the proprietor moves along the closedcourse, the system 100 records the proprietor's geolocation at certainintervals. In one embodiment, the system 100 records the proprietor'sgeolocation every 16 meters. These intervals can also vary in amount ofdistance. When the system 100 detects that the proprietor has eitherstopped moving or has reached the start/finish point again, then the setof geolocation positions has been created. In another embodiment, theproprietor can deactivate geolocation set creation on his mobile device110. The system 100 then stores the set of geolocation positions intothe central database 140 for retrieval by users.

Referring back to FIG. 2, point 210 represents the starting geolocationof the user in the present exemplary embodiment; in other embodiments,any of the other geolocation positions can be the starting geolocationof the user. The system 100 determines the starting geolocation positionfor the user and the starting geolocation position among the set ofgeolocation positions 210-230 by calculating the user's currentgeolocation and then comparing the user's current geolocation againstthe set of geolocation positions 210-230. Because a user may not be onor in the exact geolocation position provided in the set 210-230, thesystem calculates a distance from the user's starting geolocationposition to each geolocation position in the set 210-230 to determinewhether the user is within a predetermined distance from any of the setof geolocation positions 210-230 or whether a user is in the area formedaround each of the set 210-230. For example, in the exemplaryembodiment, the area 209 is formed based on a predetermined distancefrom the geolocation position 210. If the user's geolocation position iswithin the area 209, then the system 100 can map the user's geolocationposition to the geolocation position 210 and the system 100 can mark thegeolocation position 210 as completed.

Similarly, when the user is moving on the closed course, the system 100retrieves the geolocation position of the user to compare against any ofthe set of geolocation positions 210-230. The system 100 calculates thedistance between the user's current geolocation position and the eachgeolocation position of the set of geolocation positions 210-230. If thecalculated distance between the user's current geolocation position anda particular geolocation position of the set 210-230 is equal to or lessthan a predetermined distance, such as 8 meters, then the system 100marks the particular geolocation position as complete. In an alternateembodiment, the system 100 determines whether the user's currentgeolocation position is within the area based on the predetermineddistance from any of the set of geolocation positions 210-230, and ifthe user's current geolocation position is within the area of any of thegeolocation positions 210-230, then the geolocation position of the set210-230 for the area is marked as completed.

In another exemplary embodiment, the system 100 can determine whetherthe user's current geolocation position is within the areas around ofgeolocation positions that have not been marked as completed. Forexample, in an exemplary embodiment, the system has marked geolocationlocations 210, 211, 212, 213, and 214 as complete because the user'stracked movements and tracked geolocation indicated that the user hastraveled through the circles formed by each geolocation position.However, the user did not appear within the area around geolocation 215and did appear within the area around geolocation 216. Accordingly,geolocation 216 is marked as complete by the system 100 even though theuser did not appear within the area of geolocation 215.

In another embodiment, because the closed course proprietors can createand modify the set of geolocation positions 210-230 of the closed course205, closed course proprietors can also set the predetermined distanceand corresponding area for all the geolocation positions 210-230 or theclosed course proprietors can set a predetermined distance andcorresponding area for each of the geolocation positions. For example,the closed course proprietors can set the predetermined distance to be 8meters for all of the geolocation positions, but they also have theoption to set one of the geolocation positions to 6 meters instead of 8.Closed course proprietors may modify the predetermined distance to moreaccurately reflect the closed course 205.

FIG. 2 illustrates the completed geolocations not shaded (210, 211, 212,213, 214, 216, 228, 229, and 230) and the others shaded in based on atrend line mechanism as used by the system. In the exemplary embodiment,each established closed course in the system 100 has a success rate(also referred herein as a predetermined success threshold). The successrate is used to make sure that users do not cut the course or cheat. Thesuccess rate may be defined by the closed course proprietor or by thesystem, based on an ongoing aggregation and normalization of thecompletion rates by users. In one embodiment, the success rate is set ata default of 70%. The success rate is the threshold for the system 100to consider a lap as complete, and the success rate is based on thenumber of completed geolocation positions against the total number ofgeolocation positions in the set of geolocation positions 210-230 forthe closed course 205. For example, the exemplary closed course 205 ofFIG. 2 has a predetermined success rate of 70% and has 21 geolocationpositions in the set of geolocation positions 210-230. If a usercompletes only 9 of the 21 geolocation positions of the set 210-230, theuser's completion rate is only 42.8% which is below the determinedsuccess rate of 70% and accordingly the user did not complete the laparound the closed course. When the system 100 has determined that theuser has not completed the lap around the closed course 205, then thelap is not recorded as a lap in the system 100. In one embodiment, thetimer also continues to run without resetting and thereby creates atrack cut penalty. However, if the user completes 17 of the 21geolocation positions of the set 210-230, the user's completion rate is80.95% which is above the determined success rate of 70% and accordinglythe user completed the lap. When the system 100 determines that the userhas completed the lap, then the lap is counted, lap information isrecorded, and the timer for the lap is reset.

Further, in another embodiment, after the system determines that theuser has completed the lap, the system 100 resets the set of geolocationpositions to incomplete.

Distance calculation and geolocation functionality can be providedthrough currently available technology, such as CoreLocation, or laterdeveloped technology and services.

The use of the success rate also accounts for inconsistencies and errorsof geolocation technology and services, such as a weak signal receptionby the mobile device 110. For example, point 220 of FIG. 2 is ageolocation position that was recorded into the set of geolocationpositions 210-230 but is not on the closed course 205. When theproprietor created the set of geolocation positions 210-230, thegeolocation services may have glitched or some other error may haveoccurred when attempting to record a geolocation position on the closedcourse 205 between point 219 and 221, and so the system 100 may haveinadvertently recorded point 220 using geolocation coordinates not onthe closed course 205. The success rate accounts for these errorsbecause the system 100 recognizes that a user cannot usually mark eachgeolocation position of the set 210-230 as complete, especiallygeolocation positions not along the closed course 205.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot 300 of agraphical user interface, in accordance with the disclosed principles,for a closed course with information about the best lap times for theclosed course, and for a user to start tracking his movements along theclosed course. The screenshot 300 provides an exemplary image 310 of theclosed course with the closed course's location. As shown in thescreenshot 300, the graphical user interface provides a button 320 foractivating tracking of the user's movements on the closed course. In theexemplary embodiment, the graphical user interface provides a podiumlist 330 of users with the best lap times at the closed course. Each lapentry of the podium list 330 provides the user's screenname, the laptime, the date of the lap time, and the user's rider number, and theuser's lap ranking. The list 330 can have any number of entries shown tousers. Additionally, the exemplary embodiment is directed to motocrossracing and accordingly, each entry provides the brand of the user'smotorcycle. The exemplary embodiment provides the top five lap times ata closed course; however, in other embodiments, more lap times can beviewed. The graphical user interface also shows a section 340 for theuser's best lap entry at the closed course, and in the present exemplaryembodiment, the user's best lap time coincides with the second best laptime at the closed course. A button 350 below the user's best lapsection 340 is available for the user to select and use to view the bestlap times for all users.

In another embodiment, the graphical user interface providinginformation for a closed course can also include other information aboutthe closed course, such as a physical address, phone number, and websitewhen the image 310 is selected. Users can also filter the informationfor the closed course and the entries of the list 330 to show specificinformation based on a variety of filters.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot 400 of agraphical user interface demonstrating geographically finding a nearbyestablished closed course. In the present exemplary embodiment, the usercan search for closed courses based on the name of the closed course asestablished, on the geographical proximity to the user, and any othersearch factors available. The screenshot 400 illustrates a map view ofthe searched-for closed course for selection by the user. As previouslymentioned, the user can search for closed courses using any type ofgeolocation service, including GPS and cellular technology. Further,user can utilize map functionality that can be found in other currentlyavailable and later developed map services, like zooming in or zoomingout.

In another embodiment, some closed courses may be found after the userhas visited the closed course and the closed course proprietor hasprovide authorization to the user to access information about the closedcourse. Accordingly, some closed courses may be a private closed coursewhere membership is restricted.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot 500 of agraphical user interface for deactivating the tracking of the user'smovements on a closed course, where the interface also shows previouslap times on the closed course. In the present exemplary embodiment, theuser pressed the button 320 of FIG. 3 to get to the present view of thegraphical user interface as provided in screenshot 500. In the exemplaryscreenshot 500, the graphical user interface provides a button 510 forstarting and stopping the tracking functionality of the vehicle trackingsystem 100. The present exemplary screenshot illustrates the button 510for stopping the tracking functionality and provides the words “StopTimer”; in another exemplary embodiment, the button 510 providesactivating of the tracking functionality and the words “Start Timer.”Additionally, in the present exemplary embodiment, the graphical userinterface provides a list 520 of the user's previous lap times at theselected closed course, and each entry on the list 520 provides the lapnumber and the completed lap time. The present exemplary screenshot 500provides a stopwatch 530 at the bottom of the graphical user interface,and the stopwatch 530 can provide a real-time and current visualizationof the user's time as he moves on the closed course. In anotherembodiment, users can turn on/off real-time updates to a leaderboard forthe closed course.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot 600 of agraphical user interface for posting a user's best lap time after theuser completed a lap and the lap time for the lap is the user's besttime so far. In the present exemplary embodiment, the user can press thebutton 610 to share his lap information, which includes his lap time andthe lap rank, with others, such as friends or the public. The graphicaluser interface in the exemplary screenshot 600 has a header 620 for theuser's most recent lap time, and in the present screenshot 600, theuser's most recent lap time is his best lap time so far, so when posted,others can also see that the posted lap information is the user's bestlap so far. The graphical user interface, again, provides a list 620 ofthe user's previous lap times at the selected track, along with the lapinformation of the lap that the user just completed, and each entry onthe list 630 provides the lap number and the completed lap time. Inanother embodiment, the graphical user interface can provide a markerfor the user's best lap so the user can more easily find the best lap inthe list 630.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot 700 of agraphical user interface demonstrating groups of riders currentlyracing. The system 100 provides a graphical user interface for racinggroups. The screenshot 700 of the exemplary graphical user interfaceillustrates a list 710 of current group races. The system can populatethe list 710 based on a variety of factors, such as groups that the userhas joined, groups within a predetermined geographical vicinity, groupsat a closed course that the user frequents, currently racing groups,etc. The entries of the list 710 comprise the name of the group and thenumber of users within the group, which may change as users join orleave the group. In an alternative embodiment, the number of users maybe based on the number of users currently racing or currently using theclient application on their mobile device. Groups decrease the racingrisk factors, and allows users to show up at a closed course during theduration of the group race and to log laps at the users' convenience.Group races can also provide trophies or prizes among the group members.

The system also allows users to create new group races via the button720 on the graphical user interface of screenshot 700. In creating agroup race, the user can specify a particular closed course and caninvite friends of the user to the group race. The user can also specifythe group as a private group, where membership is restricted, or apublic group, where membership is not restricted. The user can specifyany number of factors for group races.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot 800 of agraphical user interface for a user profile. In the user profile of thescreenshot 800, information about the user can be provided in a header810, such as a profile picture 815 of the user, the brand of vehicleused by the user, the number of tracks the user has attended, the numberof trophies or prizes won by the user, the number of best lap times theuser has, the number of laps posted by the user. User information forthe header 810 or in the user profile may be personalized oraccess-restricted by the user. The screenshot of the graphical userinterface also includes a list 820 of the user's laps at various closedcourses, and each entry on the list 820 includes the name of the racetrack, the date of the lap entry, the user's lap time, and any placementof the user's lap at the race track. Any other lap information may alsobe provided with each entry of the list 820. Also illustrated in thescreenshot the graphical user interface is a button 830 to view anytrophies or prizes won by the user.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot 900 of agraphical user interface of a trophy 910 available to the user with thebest lap time at a closed course. The trophy may have information aboutthe best lap time by the user, such the date of the lap, the lap time,and the closed course of the lap. At the bottom of the graphical userinterface, the system can provide the number of trophies, titles, orprizes own by the user. A link to the exemplary graphical user interfacecan appear in the user profile of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screenshot 1000 of agraphical user interface demonstrating the vehicle tracking systemfacilitating video streaming of racing competitions and events, andpresenting information about the racing competition and events with auser's information. These racing competitions may be pay-to-playcompetitions. As shown in the screenshot 1000 of the exemplaryembodiment, the graphical user interface includes an image 1010 of aracing competition. The image 1010 can accompany information about theracing competition, such as the name and location of the racingcompetition. The vehicle tracking system 100 can be used to provideviewers and fans of the racing competition the ability to get areal-time view and updates of the competition. The graphical userinterface comprises a list 1020 of the competitors, each having a mobiledevice with the client application of the system 100. Each entry of thelist has information about the competitor, such as the competitor's nameand their vehicle, their number in the competition, and any lapinformation. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, each entry hasthe competitor, the vehicle used by the competitor, the competitor'sentry number in the competition, the competitor's best lap, includinginformation about the date of the lap and the lap time, and thecompetitor's current standing in the competition. The list 1020 may alsohave a marker 1025 for indicating the competitor with the fastest laptime. Also illustrated in the graphical user interface of the exemplaryscreenshot, is the user's best lap information in the section 1030 belowthe list 1020, and this section 1030 provides similar information as thelist 1020.

In other embodiments, the image 1010 can be a video stream of the racingcompetition from a commentator's perspective, or from any racer'sperspective. The video stream may be computer-generated representationof the closed course with each participant's real-time location alongthe closed course.

The competitions as contemplated above may take over a large period oftime so as to allow as many competitors as possible. These competitionsmay also take place over multiple closed courses, so the system canprovide additional graphical user interfaces that provide similarinformation as the graphical user interface in screenshot 1000.

FIG. 11 is another block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of thevehicle tracking system 1100. The vehicle tracking system 1100 includesat least one mobile device 1110 for a user. The mobile device 1110connects to the server 1120 and to the cloud code 1130 for receiving andsending data from databases (not illustrated) connected to the server1120 and the cloud code 1130. The cloud code 1130 also connects to amessaging server 1140 for providing communication protocols between themobile device of the user and mobile device of other users. The mobiledevice 1110 also connects with cellular towers 1150, 1152, 1154, 1156which retrieve geolocation data for triangulation data from satellites1160, 1162, and 1164. In the exemplary embodiment, the geolocation datais based on triangulation of multiple satellites 1160, 1162, and 1164.

The cloud code 1130 allows for push notifications to the mobile device1110, regardless whether the client application on the mobile device1110 is active or not. The cloud code 1130 also interfaces the mobiledevice 1110 for and/or with any network-based or cloud-based servicesfor the client application on the mobile device 1110, such asgeolocation services and social networking services. The cloud code 1130comprises currently available and later developed technology forinterfacing between the mobile device 1110 and the messaging server1140.

In an exemplary embodiment, geolocation data can be calculated based ona triangulation of either multiple satellites 1160, 1162, 1164 ormultiple cellular towers 1150, 1152, 1154, 1156. Geolocation data may betransmitted from the satellites 1160, 1162, 1164 to the cellular towers1150, 1152, 1154, 1156 for transmission to the mobile device 1110. Thegeolocation data is then processed by the client application of themobile device 1110 to perform the principles disclosed in otherexemplary embodiments.

As indicated above, aspects of this invention pertain to specific“method functions” implementable through various computer systems. In analternate embodiment, the invention may be implemented as a computerprogram product for use with a computer system. Those skilled in the artshould readily appreciate that programs defining the functions of thepresent invention can be delivered to a computer in many forms, whichinclude, but are not limited to (a) information permanently stored onnon-writeable storage media (e.g., read only memory devices within acomputer such as ROMs or CD-ROM disks readable only by a computer I/Oattachment); (b) information alterably stored on writeable storage media(e.g., floppy disks and hard drives); or (c) information conveyed to acomputer through communication media, such as a local area network, atelephone network, a public network like the Internet. It should beunderstood, therefore, that such media, when carrying computer readableinstructions that direct the method functions of the present invention,represent alternate embodiments of the present invention.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the scope of theinvention is established by the appended claims rather than by theforegoing description. All changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein. Further, the recitation of method steps does not denote aparticular sequence for execution of the steps. Such method steps maytherefore be performed in a sequence other than recited unless theparticular claim expressly states otherwise.

Additional Description

The following paragraphs are offered as further description of thevarious embodiments disclosed invention.

In a first embodiment, novel aspects of the present disclosure describea computer-implemented method for tracking a vehicle's course usinggeolocation data, the method comprising: obtaining, from a centraldatabase, a set of predetermined location positions representing aclosed course; tracking movements of a user using a locationdetermination controller, where tracking the movements of the userfurther comprises timing the movements of the user; authenticating themovements of the user against the set of predetermined locationpositions while the client terminal is within a predetermined distanceof at least one of the set of predetermined location positions; upondetermining whether successful authentication of the user's movements isgreater than a predetermined success threshold, storing timinginformation in the central database, and retrieving and presenting thetiming information on the client terminal.

In another aspect of the first embodiment, novel aspects of the presentdisclosure describe a computer-implemented method for tracking avehicle's course using geolocation data, the method comprising:obtaining, from a central database, a set of predetermined locationpositions representing a closed course; tracking movements of a userusing a location determination controller, where tracking the movementsof the user further comprises timing the movements of the user;authenticating the movements of the user against the set ofpredetermined location positions while the client terminal is within apredetermined distance of at least one of the set of predeterminedlocation positions; upon determining whether successful authenticationof the user's movements is greater than a predetermined successthreshold, storing timing information in the central database, andretrieving and presenting the timing information on the client terminal;and one or more limitations selected from the following list:

wherein tracking the movements of the user employs at least one of GPStechnology, Assisted GPS technology (AGPS), Differential GPS (DGPS)technology, Time of Arrival (TOA) technology, Enhanced Time of Arrivaltechnology, Maximum Likelihood and Least-Square location techniques,Angle of Arrival location technique, Received Signal Strengthlocalization, Single Fingerprinting, WIFI, and RFID technology;

wherein the predetermined distance is 8 meters;

wherein the method further comprises: aggregating the timing informationof a plurality of users into an ordered list and presenting the orderedlist to the plurality of users on the graphical user interface on theclient terminal;

wherein successful authentication comprises authentication of thepredetermined number of the set of predetermined location positions;

wherein the set of predetermined location positions comprises GPSlocations;

wherein the set of predetermined location positions comprises a sequenceof predetermined location positions;

wherein the method further comprises: tracking a second user'sgeolocation positions at predetermined intervals to generate the set ofpredetermined location positions; and

uploading the set of predetermined GPS locations to the centraldatabase;

wherein the predetermined success threshold is defined by ongoingaggregation and normalization of rates of successful authentication;

wherein the predetermined success threshold is 70%;

wherein the predetermined distance is defined by ongoing aggregation andanalysis of geolocation information of users;

wherein tracking of the user's movements is activated by a motionsensor;

wherein the set of predetermined location positions areaccess-restricted.

wherein tracking the user's movements and authenticating the movementsof the user starts at any one of the predetermined location positions;

In a second embodiment, novel aspects of the present disclosure describea system for tracking a vehicle's course using geolocation data, thesystem comprising: a central processing server in communication with acomputer network and configured to obtain information from a centraldatabase; one or more client terminals in communication with the centralprocessing server via the computer network, and configured to provide agraphical user interface for user interaction with the centralprocessing server; wherein the one or more client terminals isconfigured to: obtain, from the central database, a set of predeterminedlocation positions representing a closed course; track movements of auser using a location determination controller, where tracking themovements of the user further comprises timing the movements of theuser; authenticate the movements of the user against the set ofpredetermined location positions while the client terminal is within apredetermined distance of at least one of the set of predeterminedlocation positions; and upon determining whether successfulauthentication of the user's movements is greater than a predeterminedsuccess threshold, storing timing information in the central database,and retrieving and presenting the timing information on the clientterminal.

In another aspect of second embodiment, novel aspects of the presentdisclosure describe a system for tracking a vehicle's course usinggeolocation data, the system comprising: a central processing server incommunication with a computer network and configured to obtaininformation from a central database; one or more client terminals incommunication with the central processing server via the computernetwork, and configured to provide a graphical user interface for userinteraction with the central processing server; wherein the one or moreclient terminals is configured to: obtain, from the central database, aset of predetermined location positions representing a closed course;track movements of a user using a location determination controller,where tracking the movements of the user further comprises timing themovements of the user; authenticate the movements of the user againstthe set of predetermined location positions while the client terminal iswithin a predetermined distance of at least one of the set ofpredetermined location positions; and upon determining whethersuccessful authentication of the user's movements is greater than apredetermined success threshold, storing timing information in thecentral database, and retrieving and presenting the timing informationon the client terminal; and one or more limitations selected from thefollowing list:

wherein the predetermined distance is 8 meters;

wherein the set of predetermined location positions comprises GPSlocations;

wherein the set of predetermined location positions comprises a sequenceof predetermined location positions;

wherein the one or more client terminals is further configured toaggregate the consolidated timing information of a plurality of usersinto an ordered list and present the ordered list to the plurality ofusers;

wherein successful authentication of the predetermined number of the setof predetermined location positions comprises authentication of thepredetermined number of the set of predetermined location positionsbased on the sequential order;

wherein the one or more terminals is further configured to track theuser's geolocation coordinates at predetermined intervals to generatethe set of predetermined location positions; and upload the set ofpredetermined location positions coordinates to the central database;

wherein the predetermined success threshold is defined by ongoingaggregation and normalization of rates of successful authentication;

wherein the predetermined distance is defined by ongoing aggregation andanalysis of GPS location information of users;

wherein tracking of the user's movements is activated by a motionsensor;

wherein the set of predetermined location positions locations areaccess-restricted;

wherein the tracking the user's movements and authenticating themovements of the user starts at any one of the predetermined locationpositions;

wherein tracking the movements of the user employs at least one of GPStechnology, Assisted GPS technology (AGPS), Differential GPS (DGPS)technology, Time of Arrival (TOA) technology, Enhanced Time of Arrivaltechnology, Maximum Likelihood and Least-Square location techniques,Angle of Arrival location technique, Received Signal Strengthlocalization, Single Fingerprinting, WIFI, and RFID technology; and

wherein the predetermined success threshold is 70%.

In a third embodiment, novel aspects of the present disclosure describea closed-course generation system used with a tracking system fortracking a vehicle's course using geolocation data, the closed coursesystem comprising: a central processing server in communication with acomputer network and configured to obtain information from a centraldatabase; a mobile device in communication with the central processingserver via the computer network, comprises a geolocation controller, andis configured to provide a graphical user interface for user interactionwith the central processing server; wherein the mobile device isconfigured to: track a path using the geolocation controller along theclosed course; records geolocation positions of the closed course to aset of predetermined geolocation positions; and stores the set ofpredetermined geolocation positions to the central database; wherein oneor more client terminals of the tracking system accesses the set ofpredetermined geolocation positions in the central database, tracksmovements of users of the one or more client terminals, authenticatesthe movements of the users against the set of predetermined geolocationpositions while the one or more client terminals is within apredetermined distance of at least one of the set of predeterminedgeolocation positions; and upon determining whether successfulauthentication of the users' movements is greater than a predeterminedsuccess threshold, stores timing information in the central database.

In another aspect of the third embodiment, novel aspects of the presentdisclosure describe a closed-course generation system used with atracking system for tracking a vehicle's course using geolocation data,the closed course system comprising: a central processing server incommunication with a computer network and configured to obtaininformation from a central database; a mobile device in communicationwith the central processing server via the computer network, comprises ageolocation controller, and is configured to provide a graphical userinterface for user interaction with the central processing server;wherein the mobile device is configured to: track a path using thegeolocation controller along the closed course; records geolocationpositions of the closed course to a set of predetermined geolocationpositions; and stores the set of predetermined geolocation positions tothe central database; wherein one or more client terminals of thetracking system accesses the set of predetermined geolocation positionsin the central database, tracks movements of users of the one or moreclient terminals, authenticates the movements of the users against theset of predetermined geolocation positions while the one or more clientterminals is within a predetermined distance of at least one of the setof predetermined geolocation positions; and upon determining whethersuccessful authentication of the users' movements is greater than apredetermined success threshold, stores timing information in thecentral database, and one or more limitations selected from thefollowing list:

wherein the predetermined distance is 8 meters;

wherein the one or more client terminals is further configured toaggregate the timing information of the users into an ordered list andpresent the ordered list to the users;

wherein successful authentication comprises authentication of thepredetermined number of the set of predetermined location positions;

wherein the set of predetermined location positions comprises GPSlocations;

wherein the set of predetermined location positions comprises a sequenceof predetermined location positions;

wherein the geolocation positions are 16 meters apart from each other;

wherein the predetermined success threshold is defined by ongoingaggregation and normalization of rates of successful authentication;

wherein the predetermined distance is defined by ongoing aggregation andanalysis of GPS location information of users;

wherein the predetermined success threshold is 70%;

wherein the set of predetermined location positions locations areaccess-restricted;

wherein the tracking the user's movements and authenticating themovements of the user starts at any one of the predetermined locationpositions;

wherein tracking the movements of the user employs at least one of GPStechnology, Assisted GPS technology (AGPS), Differential GPS (DGPS)technology, Time of Arrival (TOA) technology, Enhanced Time of Arrivaltechnology, Maximum Likelihood and Least-Square location techniques,Angle of Arrival location technique, Received Signal Strengthlocalization, Single Fingerprinting, WIFI, and RFID technology; and

wherein the predetermined success threshold is 70%.

In a fourth embodiment, novel aspects of the present disclosure describea closed-course generation method used with a tracking system fortracking a vehicle's course using geolocation data, the closed coursesystem comprising: tracking a path using the geolocation controlleralong a closed course; recording geolocation positions of the closedcourse to a set of predetermined geolocation positions; and storing theset of predetermined geolocation positions to the central database;wherein one or more client terminals of the tracking system accesses theset of predetermined geolocation positions in the central database,tracks movements of users of the one or more client terminals,authenticates the movements of the users against the set ofpredetermined geolocation positions while the one or more clientterminals is within a predetermined distance of at least one of the setof predetermined geolocation positions; and upon determining whethersuccessful authentication of the users' movements is greater than apredetermined success threshold, stores timing information in thecentral database.

In another aspect of the fourth embodiment, novel aspects of the presentdisclosure describe a closed-course generation method used with atracking system for tracking a vehicle's course using geolocation data,the closed course system comprising: tracking a path using thegeolocation controller along a closed course; recording geolocationpositions of the closed course to a set of predetermined geolocationpositions; and storing the set of predetermined geolocation positions tothe central database; wherein one or more client terminals of thetracking system accesses the set of predetermined geolocation positionsin the central database, tracks movements of users of the one or moreclient terminals, authenticates the movements of the users against theset of predetermined geolocation positions while the one or more clientterminals is within a predetermined distance of at least one of the setof predetermined geolocation positions; and upon determining whethersuccessful authentication of the users' movements is greater than apredetermined success threshold, stores timing information in thecentral database, and one or more limitations selected from thefollowing list:

wherein the predetermined distance is 8 meters;

wherein the one or more client terminals is further configured toaggregate the timing information of the users into an ordered list andpresent the ordered list to the users;

wherein successful authentication comprises authentication of thepredetermined number of the set of predetermined location positions;

wherein the geolocation positions are 16 meters apart from each other;

wherein the predetermined success threshold is defined by ongoingaggregation and normalization of rates of successful authentication;

wherein the set of predetermined location positions comprises GPSlocations;

wherein the set of predetermined location positions comprises a sequenceof predetermined location positions;

wherein the predetermined distance is defined by ongoing aggregation andanalysis of GPS location information of users;

wherein the predetermined success threshold is 70%;

wherein the set of predetermined location positions locations areaccess-restricted;

wherein the tracking the user's movements and authenticating themovements of the user starts at any one of the predetermined locationposition;

wherein tracking the movements of the user employs at least one of GPStechnology, Assisted GPS technology (AGPS), Differential GPS (DGPS)technology, Time of Arrival (TOA) technology, Enhanced Time of Arrivaltechnology, Maximum Likelihood and Least-Square location techniques,Angle of Arrival location technique, Received Signal Strengthlocalization, Single Fingerprinting, WIFI, and RFID technology; and

wherein the predetermined success threshold is 70%.

1.-30. (canceled)
 31. A system for tracking a user's movement along acourse using geolocation data, the system comprising: at least oneserver in communication with at least one client terminal connected to acomputer network, the at least one server configured to obtaininformation from a database, wherein the at least one client terminal isconfigured to provide a user interaction with the at least one server;wherein the at least one server is configured to receive a set oftracking information of a user from the at least one client terminal,wherein the set of tracking information contains a plurality of positioncoordinates that are authenticated by determining that at least one ofthe plurality of position coordinates is within a predetermined distanceof at least one of a set of predetermined coordinates; and upondetermining that the plurality of position coordinates satisfy apredetermined success threshold for the course by being authenticated ata threshold number of the predetermined coordinates, storing at leastone attribute of the set of tracking information in the database. 32.The system of claim 31, wherein the set of tracking information furthercomprises a set of timing information of the plurality of positioncoordinates.
 33. The system of claim 31, wherein the at least oneattribute of movements further comprises at least one time measurement.34. The system of claim 31, wherein the server provides the at least oneclient terminal the set of predetermined coordinates representing acourse from the database.
 35. The system of claim 31, wherein the atleast one server is configured to allow for an aggregation of the atleast one attribute for a plurality of users based on a groupingcriteria.
 36. The system of claim 31, wherein the course is a closedcourse.
 37. The system of claim 35, wherein the at least one clientterminals is further configured to display the aggregation of the atleast one attribute for the plurality of users based on the groupingcriteria.
 38. The system of claim 35 wherein the server is configured toallow for the selection of a plurality of users as a group for which theserver will aggregate and display the at least one attribute for theplurality of users in the group.
 39. The system of claim 31 configuredto allow the user to specify a plurality of factors to determine theplurality of users of the group.
 40. The system of claim 39 wherein theplurality of factors comprises one or more of the following: a specificcourse, a specific geographic area, a current group of the user, aspecific predetermined coordinate and a friend status.
 41. The system ofclaim 31 wherein the server is configured to provide a virtual trophy toa user having a best lap time at a particular closed course.
 42. Thesystem of claim 31, wherein the client terminal is a mobile device. 43.The system of claim 31, wherein the client terminal is a combination ofa mobile device and a GPS tracking unit.
 44. The system of claim 31,wherein the plurality of position coordinates are authenticated by theserver to determine whether the success threshold is satisfied.
 45. Thesystem of claim 31, wherein the plurality of position coordinates areauthenticated by the at least one client terminal to determine whetherthe success threshold is satisfied.
 46. A system for tracking a user'smovement along a course using geolocation data, the system comprising:at least one client terminal in communication with at least one serverconnected to a computer network, the at least one client terminalconfigured to obtain information from a database, wherein the at leastone client terminal is configured to provide a user interaction with theat least one server; wherein the at least one client terminal isconfigured to send a set of tracking information of a user to the atleast one server, wherein the set of tracking information contains aplurality of position coordinates that are authenticated by determiningthat at least one of the plurality of position coordinates is within apredetermined distance of at least one of a set of predeterminedcoordinates; and upon determining that the plurality of positioncoordinates satisfy a predetermined success threshold for the course bybeing authenticated at a threshold number of the predeterminedcoordinates, storing at least one attribute of the set of trackinginformation in the database.
 47. The system of claim 46, wherein theplurality of position coordinates are authenticated by the server todetermine whether the success threshold is satisfied.
 48. The system ofclaim 46, wherein the plurality of position coordinates areauthenticated by the at least one client terminal to determine whetherthe success threshold is satisfied.
 49. The system of claim 46, whereinthe course is a closed course.
 50. The system of claim 46, wherein theserver provides the at least one client terminal the set ofpredetermined coordinates representing a course from the database.